Until You [BL]

Chapter 6 - Breathe

Fallon spent the rest of the weekend playing games and catching up on sleep. It rained all weekend, the unusually rainy December contributing to a colder temp that is perfect for sleeping. Fallon used to like rainy days but since that day, whenever it rains, he feels his heart grieving. As if the raindrops were his tears that he cannot prevent from falling. So, whenever it rains, he sleeps. He sleeps to escape the torment of reality.

Following Monday, Fallon met River at univ to submit end of term deliverables and other tasks they need to finish before term officially ends.

As they finished, a message notification dinged from Fallon's phone.

'Let's do lunch out. Sort of an end of term celebration. Will wait for you where you usually park your car.' It was from Archer.

Fallon flashed his phone to River and River nodded. "I could eat. Starting to get hungry to be honest."

The two of them walked to the parking lot and saw Archer leaning against Fallon's car.

"Did not bring car today. Want me to drive?" Archer asked Fallon after he smilingly waved at River.

Fallon tossed the car key to Archer and they drive towards Makati area. After about 20mins, they arrived at this run down looking Japanese resto in Chino Roces. After parking the car, Archer immediately walked towards the restaurant's entrance without waiting for them so River looked at Fallon puzzled, Fallon just shrugged slightly.

Inside, they saw Archer just at the entrance talking to a staff. Then the staff started walking and Archer said, "Let's go. It's past 1pm now so we were able secure a private room.

They followed the staff all the way to the end of the resto it seems before turning right. A few doors lined the right hand side while larger capacity tables can be seen arranged on the left hand side. As they entered a private room with low table and sunken foot room, Fallon was surprised to see Alexis seated and looking at the menu.

"I ordered special maki, gyu cubes and karage. Also requested for cold house tea. Add yours before the server leaves."

The three of them reviewed the menu and placed their order.

The food started arriving one by one and what amazed Fallon was this maki with ginormous helping of ripe mangoes on top with fish roe.

Ash saw his interest and pushed the dish closer to him. "Try this one, I'm sure you'll like it."

He did try it and it was an explosion of exquisite flavors in his mouth. It was a little bit spicy but tolerable for him and in his opinion worth the acid reflux he may suffer later for its heavenly taste.

"Don't eat too much though, it's spicy plus the mangoes may trigger your stomach issues." Ash said with concern laced voice.

Fallon saw in his peripheral vision that River and Archer seem to be signaling at each other. He suddenly faced their way in an attempt to catch them in the act. He saw Archer quickly changed his expression into an unconvincing uninterested look while River who's sitting on Fallon's left side, is looking at him with this 'Awww, isn't that sweet' expression. Fallon stared at River with widened eyes as if saying, 'You stop that right now'.

Ash who seems unconcerned asked him, "So when's your flight?"

Surprised of the sudden out of nowhere question, he dumbly asked. "Huh? What flight?"

"For the holidays. Or were you planning to drive? It will be hectic, better to book a flight. Archer and I will be flying on Thursday."

To be honest, Fallon really has no plan to go home. His dad asked a few times already, but he always gave a non-committal answer. But now that Ash mentioned it, he kind of missed his dad so he may decide to go home after all.

Ash suddenly passed Fallon his phone which earned a questioning look from Fallon.

"Your number. I will text you our flight details later and you can book the same flight as ours."

"Um why?" Fallon asked

"Archer and I can pick you up at your condo and we can also send you home from Naga airport. Saves fuel and we can help minimize carbon footprint."

Although reluctant, Fallon typed in his number and dialed it. He then showed Alexis his ringing phone before Alexis nodded as if in approval. The meal passed in relative silence after that with Fallon deep in thought as to whether he will be joining the Hidalgos n their flight home.

***

Fallon did end up booking a flight to go home with the same flight sched that Alexis and Archer booked.

On the day of the flight, Fallon waited at the curb in front of the condo building for Alexis' car that will be taking them to the airport. He's thinking, 'Is this wise? Am I really going back to Naga?'

Alexis' black Land Cruiser stopped in front of Fallon without him noticing so he jumped a bit when the window on the back set rolled down and Alexis' serious face appeared.

"What were you thinking just now to miss such a big car?" Archer who was riding shotgun teased Fallon when Fallon still dumbly stared at Alexis' now slightly smiling face.

Alexis helped Fallon load his smallish luggage at the back of the SUV before opening the back seat door for Fallon and gesturing for Fallon to ride the car first.

"This is Kuya* Arnel, one of our company drivers." Archer introduced the driver when Fallon has seated himself at the back seat beside Alexis. The driver nodded politely and mentioned Fallon's name as greeting "Sir Fallon."

Fallon smiled slightly and looked to his right at Alexis who's handing him an Aquaflask and saying, "Drink some water. Did you eat earlier?"

"Not yet, I'll grab a bite at the airport. I felt rushed this morning as it was a last-minute decision to fly with you." Fallon admitted.

The drive to the airport was short and uneventful. Archer dominated the conversation and in no time, they were dropping off their luggage since they've already checked-in online.

***

Fallon's visibly anxious during the flight which caused a bit of concern from Alexis.

"Are you ok? Are you normally a nervous flyer?" Alexis asked fallon

"No, it's not that. Just ignore me I'm fine." Fallon evaded.

Archer who's seated across from them, knitted his brows and signaled Alexis to let Fallon be. Alexis knitted his brows at Archer in return, silently inquiring what that was about. Archer just shook his head and returned his attention to the game he's playing before he heard his Kuya's and Fallon's conversation.

***

When Alexis unloaded Fallon's luggage from the back of their van, Fallon is looking at their house like he wanted to turn and run away. However, his dad came out of the door and delightedly exclaimed, "Fallon, this is a surprise anak**. I'm so glad you decided to come home."

Fallon inhaled deeply and thought, 'Breathe Fallon, you can get through this holiday season. Just breathe.'

A/N

*Kuya – An address used to refer to an older brother in Filipino, same as Oppa/Hyung in Korean, Gege in Chinese and Phi in Thai.

**Anak – Child. Sometimes used as endearment of one's parent to their offspring.